Power of Homemade Cleaners

While preparing for this week's MOPS's craft, homemade laundry soap and window cleaner, my mind kept thinking to all the homemade/frugal things done around the house.  My favorite supplies center around baking soda, vinegar, Borax, washing soda and essential oils.  I started using homemade cleaners when I ran out at the wrong time, think Amazing Ann just went down for a nap.  They played a bigger role when Wild Regan showed up.  As a newborn she started life with severe Eczema. We tried anything to reduce her flair ups.  Today, Wild Regan can tolerate dye free traditional cleaners but I still use them because they work, cheap to make and are better for the environment.  Besides have you seen the nasty stuff listed on traditional cleaners?  The ingredients look like another language to me.  No thank you.

Here are my top cleaners.

1. Vinegar as a rinse agent in dishwasher - think Jet Dry.
2. Sprinkle baking soda over a clogged drain and chase with 2 cups of boiling water.  
3. Combine 2 cups baking soda, 2 tablespoons of salt and shake. Great counter and bathroom cleaner.
4. Vinegar in cement cracks prevents weeks/grass from growing.
5. Grate 1 bar of soap, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup Borax and combine.  Add a couple drops of any essential oil for a nice scent.  Use 1 or 2 tablespoons per laundry load. 
6. In a spray bottle combine 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups of water.  Shake and spray in a stinky room especially after a nasty diaper change or a long toilet flush.  
7. For the best disinfectant spray combine 2 teaspoons of baking soda and Borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 4 cup of hot water. Combine all ingredients until dissolved. Transfer cooled cleaner to a spray bottle and label.  Great for kitchen counter, door handles and nasty toilets.
8. Combined 1 cup water and vinegar for the best widow cleaner hands down. I sometimes add blue food dye.

As you can see, I label each bottle with painter's tape and add food dye, when appropriate.  The flip side of the bottle has the recipe so it is easy to remake.  Most of the cleaners have an essential oil to give a fresh scent.  Looks like I need to make some laundry soap.

Start out small. When one of your cleaners runs out try one of the recipes/tips above.  You might be surprised.  Let me know your experience.